FROM   THE  LIBRARY   OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


HEART   TO 


;tf  OF  PR/^fl? 


h^SS.'1 


HYMNS  BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF 

"THE    OLD,    OLD    STORY." 


'As  in  Water  Face  answeretu  to  Face,  so  the  Heart  of 
Man  to  Man."  —Prov.  xxvii.  19. 


NEW   YORK: 
ANSON  D.  F.  RANDOLPH  &  COMPANY, 

770     BROADWAY, 
Cor.  9th  Street. 


£et  tlie  moths  of  mn  mouit), 

anb 

t\)c  meditation  of  mn  Ijeart, 

be  acceptable 

in  dT!)2  sigi)t, 

©  £oro, 

nm  £strenc»tl),  anb  mn  tleoeemer ! 


CONTENTS. 


Hidden  Glories,             .... 

PAGE. 

Weary,  yet  Waiting, 

Elisha, 

We,  and  They,         .... 

.      M 

Thou  art  near,  0  Lord  !          .           .           . 

I  shall  be  holy,         .... 

Be  Thou  their  Arm  every  morning,    . 

.     M 

Not  Alone,    ..... 

i*Jll 

God  is  so  Good!            .... 

.     17 

Journeying,              .... 
Fresh  Springs,   ..... 

19- 

.    si  . 

Joy  cometh  in  the  Morning, 

89 

The  Bride's  Search,       .... 

.   »J 

The  Golden  Sceptre, 

33 

The  thing  that  I  long  for, 

.   m  // i 

White  as  Snow,        .... 

p 

I  am  a  little  Child,        .... 

.     43  lj  (e 

He  knoweth  our  frame, 

-4:3 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story, 

•     11 

The  Secret  Spring,   .... 

4; 

VI 


CONTEXTS. 


Apart, 

The  Sick  Man's  Prayer, 

Joseph  and  his  Brethren, 

The  Guiding  Pillar, 

Draw  me, 

The  Eve  of  Departure, 

Lovest  thou  Me  ? 

Solitude, 

Cqme  unto  Me, 

The  Prayer  of  the  Destitute,. 

A  Way  to  Escape, 

The  Man  of  Macedonia, 


53-  *Y 


[Arranged  according  to  date  of  writing,— 1859— 1869.] 


HYMNS 


HIDDEN    GLORIES. 
#art  1. 

THOUGHTS     OX    EXODUS    XXV. 

Within  the  Tabernacle  door, 
My  soul,  what  dost  thon  see  ? 

'Tis  Jesus,  Jesus,  everywhere, 
That  shows  Himself  to  me. 

The  "Holy  Place"  is  full  of  Light, 
A  Light  that  goes  out  never ! 

'Tis  Jesus,  who  has  changed  my  night 
To  day  that  lasts  for  ever. 

The  "Holy  Place"  has  holy  Food, 
Each  Sabbath  newly  spread  : 

'Tis  Jesus  that  I  here  behold, 
The  true  and  living  Bread. 

(7) 


HIDDEN  GLOMUS. 

And  now  I  press  beyond  the  Veil, 
And  venture  still  more  near. 

Within  the  "Holiest  of  all," 
What  glories  now  appear ! 

Upon  the  Ark,  a  Mercy-seat ; 

A  perfect  Lav.*,  within  : 
'Tis  Jesus,  "full  of  Grace  and  Truth," 

Atoning  for  my  sin. 

The  given  Law  was  broken,  once, 
But  now,  in  Christ,  is  whole  : 

And  Mercy  reigns  once  more  supreme 
O'er  my  enraptured  soul. 

0  Jesus  !  Thou  art  all  in  all ! 
I  care  for  none  like  Thee ! 

All  else  be  hidden  from  my  sight, 
But  show  Thyself  to  me ! 

1  cannot  leave  this  Holy  Place ! 
O  suffer  me  to  stay ! 

I  long  to  see  Thy  beauty,  Lord, 
All  day  and  every  day ! 


HIDDEN  GLORIES 
Pari  2. 

THOUGHTS    OX    EXODUS   XXVI. 

But  all  the  glories  of  this  place 
Are  veiled  frorn  common  eyes  ; 

The  "badgers'  skin"  alone  appears, 
Which  o'er  those  glories  lies. 

Three  other  curtains,  underneath, 

Their  darkening  powers  unite, 
To  keep  the  Secret  of  the  Lord, 
And  veil  the  holy  Light. 

And  truly,  all  that  is  in  Christ, 
I  never  should  have  known, 

Had  Ke  not  led  me  in  Himself, 
And  all  His  beauty  shewn. 

Dear  Saviour !  people  wrong  Thee  so  ! 

Keject  Thee,  and  despise  ! 
Thy  glory,  and  Thy  beauty,  too, 

Seem  hidden  from  their  eyes. 

Give  me  a  message  to  them,  Lord  ! 

Transparent  let  me  be, 
That  I  may  give  a  true  report 

Of  what  I  find  in  Thee ! 


10  WEARY,    YET  WAITING. 


WEARY,    YET   WAITING. 

If  we  hope  for  that  we  see  not,  then  do  we  with  patience 
wait  for  it. — Rom.  viii.  25. 

T  am  weary,  vet  I  would  not 

Flee  a  war  and  be  at  rest  : 
Jesus  loves  me,  and  He  could  not 

Fail  to  give  me  what  is  best, 

I  am  weary,  night  and  morning, 

Of  the  world's  incessant  strife, 
But  I  know  the  dav  is  dawning 

Of  a  bright  eternal  Life. 

I  can  wait  a  little  longer, 

For  His  "Will  is  very  dear  : 
And  in  waiting  I  grow  stronger, 

For  I  feel  the  Day  is  near. 

Xot  a  moment  will  He  keep  me 
When  the  Harvest-time  is  come  ; 

Angel-messengers  shall  reap  me, 
And  shall  take  the  Harvest  home. 


WEARY,    YET  WAITING.  11 

Yv^here  He  is,  so  He  hath  taught  me, 

I  shall  be.  when  I  can  bear 
All  the  "  weight  of  glory  "  bought  me 

By  His  Intercession  there. 

Welcome  then  be  every  dealing 

That  is  helping  to  this  end ! 
Though  the  discipline  I'm  feeling, 

I  can  hail  it  as  a  friend. 

0  the  joy  of  being  holy  ! 
How  dehghtful  it  will  be ! 

Mind  and  body  given  solely 
To  the  bliss  of  serving  Thee ! 

Blessed  Jesus  !  Thou  hast  told  me 

I  shall  see  Thee  as  Thou  art ! 
Face  to  face  I  shall  behold  Thee, 

Never  more  from  Thee  to  part ! 

1  shall  see  Thee  in  the  glory 

Which  surrounded  Thee  above, 
Ere  began  the  wondrous  story 
Of  Thy  dear  redeeming  Love. 

And  though  now  so  far  above  me, 
That  my  words  are  faint  and  few 

Yet  "  Thou  knowest  that  I  love  Thee  ;" 
Lord,  "Thou  knowest "  that  I  do ! 


13  WEARY,   YET  WAITING. 

And  the  love  which  I  am  telling 
Does  but  feebly  echo  Thine ! 

In  Thy  Heart  of  Love  I'm  dwelling, 
E'en  as  Thou,  Lord,  art  in  mine. 

Living  Source  of  living  pleasure ! 

Thou  hast  satisfied  my  heart ! 
Who  shall  chide  this  rapturous  measure  1 

Who  shall  bid  my  joy  depart  ? 

Holy  Saviour  !     Dost  Thou  hear  me  ? 

Art  Thou  really  at  my  side  ? 
Yes,  no  angel  is  more  near  Thee, 

Glorious  Bridegroom  of  the  Bride  ! 

I  am  one  with  Thee  for  ever  ; 

One  with  Thee,  in  death  and  life  ! 
Nought  from  Thee  my  soul  can  sever, 

All  throughout  this  mortal  strife. 

Here  awhile  Thy  Cross  I'm  sharing, 
Yet  I  would  not  lay  it  down, 

For  I  need  it  in  preparing 

For  the  weight  of  Glory's  Crown. 

In  the  joy  of  Thy  Salvation 

There  is  heaven  on  earth,  to  me  : 

What  then — glorious  expectation  ! 
Must  Thy  Heaven  in  Heaven  be  ! 


WEARY,    YET  WAITING.  13 

Not  a  spot  or  wrinkle  stain  iilg 

The  fair  beauty  of  the  Bride, 
And  Eternity  remaining, 

To  be  spent  at  Jesus'  side  ! 

Yet,  what  was  I  once  %    A  stranger  ! 

Love  alone  has  rescued  me  : 
Love,  incarnate  in  the  manger, 

Love,  outstretched  upon  the  tree. 

Love  Incarnate,  suffering,  bleeding, 

Bearing  all  my  penalty  ! 
Love  Incarnate,  risen,  pleading, 

That  the  sinner  might  go  free  ! 

Love  Incarnate  !     I  adore  Thee, 
Reigning  now  in  Heaven  above  : 

For  the  sinner's  heart  before  Thee 
Is  the  conquest  of  that  Love  ! 


14  ELISHA. 


E LI  SUA . 

And  when  Elisha  was  come  into  the  house,  behold  the 
child  was  dead,  and  laid  upon  his  bed.  He  went  in  there- 
fore, and  shut  the  door  upon  them  twain,  and  prayed 
unto  the  Lord. —  -  Kings  iv.  3-.  33. 

The  door  is  shut !     Let  none  intrude 
On  that  momentous  solitude  : 

Elisha  is  alone ! 
Alone — beside  that  lifeless  boy, 
But  ye  )  full  of  joy, 

Now,  motionless  as  stone  ! 

The  door  is  shut  :  but  God  is  there, 
The  living  God  who  answers  prayer  : 

What  will  the  issue  be  ? 
A  glorious  answer  comes  ere  long, 
A  prayer  is  quenched  in  thankful  song  : 

Where,  Death,  thy  victory  '? 

Desponding  Christian  !     Why  not  share 
This  glorious  privilege  of  prayer, 

And  share  its  great  reward  ? 
Tis  secret  prayer  J  the  clay, 

Not  prayerless  eff  :  le  and  pray  ! 

Thine  is  Elisha's  God  ! 


ELISHA.  15 

Enter  thy  closet  :  wrestle  there, 

With  faith's  "  effectual  fervent  prayer," 

Till  death  shall  change  to  life  ; 
Till  hope  out  of  the  dust  shall  spring, 
And  joyous  notes  of  praise  shall  ring 

Out  of  the  bitter  strife. 

Go  on  in  faith,  go  on  in  prayer  ; 
Order  thy  cause  before  Him  there  ; 

It  cannot  but  prevail. 
The  things  impossible  with  men 
Grow  possible  with  God  again  : 

His  Power  cannot  fail. 

Fear  not,  though  face  to  face  with  Death  ! 
Only  invoke  the  Living  Breath, 

To  breathe  upon  the  slain  ! 
Once  thou  thyself  wast  lying  there, 
As  dead  as  he  ! — canst  thou  despair  ? 

Arise,  and  pray  again  ! 

Go,  stretch  thyself  upon  the  dead, 
Thou  living  proof  that  Christ  has  said, 

"  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive  !" 
O  claim  His  promise  !     "Ask"  once  more  ! 
Thou  shalt  receive  a  boundless  store, 

«If  "_«if  thou  canst  believe  !" 


16  WE,  AND   THEY. 

WE,    AND     THE  Y. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord. — Rev. 
xiv.  13, 

We  have  had  days  of  mourning, 
Since  they  were  called  away  ; 

But  not  a  tear  of  sorrow 

Have  they  shed,  since  that  day. 

We  have  had  hours  of  conflict, 
Too  fierce,  too  wild,  to  own  ; 

But  not  a  moment's  struggle 

Those  peaceful  ones  have  known. 

We  have  had  deep  repentings 

O'er  sin's  enslaving  power ; 
But  oh  !  they  left  off  sinning, 

In  that  eventful  hour  ! 

We  have  seen  Christ  but  dimly, 

By  faith,  and  not  by  sight ; 
But  they  have  seen  Him  clearly, 

In  everlasting  light ! 

Yet  soon,  we  shall  be  with  them, 
And  be  "  with  Christ,"  as  they  ! 

O  let  us  not  grow  weary, 
In  waiting  for  that  Day  ! 


THOU  ART  NEAR,  0  LORD.  17 

"  THOU  ART  NEAR,    0  LORD  T 

Psalm  cxix.  151. 

Jesus,  holy  Saviour,  hear  me  ! 
Let  me  feel  that  Thou  art  near  me, 
That  my  feeble,  broken  prayer 
Is  not — "  speaking  to  the  air  !" 

"  Thou  art  near,  0  Lord  I" 

Thou  hast  died  for  me, — I  know  it ; 
Thou  hast  life,  and  dost  bestow  it  : 
Yet  'tis  not  enough  for  me  ; 
I-  must  hourly  say  to  Thee  : 

"  Thou  art  near,  O  Lord  I" 

Live,  as  seeing  Him  who  liveth, 
Take,  as  seeing  Him  who  giveth, 
Commiuiing  with  Him  each  hour, — 
This  alone  can  give  me  power : 

"  Thou  art  near,  O  Lord  !" 

Power — for  each  day  of  sorrow, 
Since  Thou  carest  for  the  morrow : 
Power  to  work,  and  power  to  bear  : 
What  may  I  not  do  or  dare  ? 

"  Thou  art  near,  O  Lord  !" 


18  THOU  ART  NEAR,  0  LORD. 

Foes  are  near,  but  Thou  art  nearer  : 
Friends  are  dear,  but  Thou  art  dearer ; 
Closer  far  than  friend  or  foe, 
Better  known  than  all  I  know  ; 

"  Thou  art  near,  O  Loed  !" 

Jesus  !  Jesus  !     Let  me  name  Thee 
O'er  and  o'er  ; — Thou  wilt  not  blame  me ! 
'Tis  my  greatest  comfort  here, 
Just  to  whisper  in  Thine  ear, 

"  Thou  art  near,  O  Lord  !" 

Yes,  and  in  a  little  while, 
Basking  in  Thine  endless  smile, 
I  shall  say,  with  sinless  heart, 
Gazing  on  Thee  as  Thou  art, 

"  Thou  art  near,  0  Lord  !" 


/  SHALL  BE  HOL  Y.  >      19 


/  SHALL  BE  HOLY. 


The)'  are  without  fault  before  the  Throne  of  God. — Rev 

xiv.  5. 

I  shall  be  holy !     0  the  thought  is  dear, 
"When  I  am  wrestling  with  corruption  here ! 
It  will  be  over,  soon, — this -constant  strife 
With  sin  and  Satan,  and  the  pride  of  life. 

I  shall  be  holy  !     No  indwelling  sin, 
To  blight  and  mortify  the  grace  within ! 
No  cold  affections,  no  inconstant  will,     • 
Shall  any  more  the  throne  of  Jesus  fill. 

I  shall  be  holy !     Satan  shall  be  bound, 
And  cease  his  hungry  watchings  all  around  : 
"  No  lion  shall  be  there,"  in  search  of  prey ; 
I  shall  be  out  of  Satan's  reach,  that  day. 

I  shall  be  holy  !     This  world's  glittering  scene 
Never  again  shall  dare  to  come  between 
Me  and  my  Saviour's  countenance,  or  share 
One  atom  of  my  heart's  affections,  there. 

I  shall  be  holy  !     Shine  then,  glorious  Sun  ! 
Ripen  in  me  the  work  Thou  hast  begun  ; 
Then,  Lord,  "  immediately  "  Thy  promise  ke^  j} 
Put  in  the  sickle,  and  the  harvest  reap. 


20  BE   THOU  THEIR  ARM. 


BE    THOU   THEIR  ARM  EVERY  MORNING. 

Isaiah  xxxiii.  2. 

Saviour  !     From  the  day's  beginning, 
That  I  may  be  kept  from  sinning, 
That  I  may  be  kept  from  harm, 
Every  moment  be  mine  Arm  ! 

Work  and  Duty  lie  before  me  ; 
Thoughts  of  fear  sometimes  come  o'er  me  : 
But  «a  wonder-working  charm 
Lies  in  this — I  have  Thine  Arm  ! 

What  though  many  a  bitter  sorrow 
May  await  me  on  the  morrow, 
Yet  to-day  I  can  be  calm, 
Leaning  wholly  on  Thine  Arm. 

In  the  midst  of  tribulation, 
There's  abundant  consolation, 
For  each  wound  there  is  a  balm, 
If  I  lean  upon  Thine  Ami. 

And  when,  safe  at  home  in  glory, 
I  shall  understand  life's  story, 
All  throughout  that  endless  calm, 
I  will  lean  upon  Thine  Arm. 


NOT  ALONE.  21 


NOT  ALONE. 


THOUGHTS    IN    SICKNESS. 


Then  came  JESUS,  the  door  being  shut. — St.  John  xx.  26. 

My  never  absent  Saviour  ! 
'Tis  pleasant  here  to  lie, 
And  drink  in  loving  glances 
From  Thine  indulgent  eye  ! 
To  hear  Thee  whisper, 
"  Thou  art  Mine," 
And  gladly  answer, 
"  I  am  Thine !" 

My  ever-watchf  ul  Guardian  ! 
I  feel  that  Thou  art  near  ; 
Thine  arm  too  closely  round  me, 
To  leave  me  room  for  fear. 
I  hear  Thee  whisper, 
"  Thou  art  Mine," 
And  gladly  answer, 
"I  am  Thine!" 


22  NOT  ALONE . 

My  own  untiring  Teacher  ! 
It  is  so  sweet  to  be 
By  Thine  own  Self  instructed, 
When  left  alone  with  Thee ! 
To  hear  Thee  whisper, 
"  Thou  art  Mine," 
And  gladly  answer, 
"  I  am  Thine  !" 

My  glorious  Fobe-bukneb  ! 
What  must  Thy  Heaven  be, 
If  it  is  so  entrancing, 
The  very  thought  of  Thee  ! 
For,  Lord  of  Glory, 
Thou  art  mine, 
And  not  ashamed 
To  call  me  Thine  ! 


GOD  IS  SO  GOOD!  23 


"GOD  IS  SO   GOODT 

Thou  art  good,  and  doest  good. — Ps.  cxix.  68.  - 

"  God  is  so  good  !"     Though  heart  and  flesh  were 

failing, 
Though  pain  and  weakness  clogged  the  laboring 

breath, 
Thus  have  our  loved  ones,  fighting,  yet  prevailing, 
Believed  and  spoken  in  the  hour  of  death. 

"  God  is  so  good !"     Think  not  their  lips  were 

bringing 
Fruit  to  the  altar  of  an  "  Unknown  God  :" 
Nay,  verily !     To  Jesus  they  were  clinging, 
Through  Whom  alone  we  learn  to  "  know  the  Loss. '' 

"  God  is  so  good  !"     O  words  of  comfort,  falling 
Like  prophet's  mantle  by  the  rivers  side ! 
In  time  of  need,  those  precious  words  recalling, 
Onward  we  press,  and  Jordan's  waves  divide. 

"  God  is  so  good  !"     His  daily  mercies  claim  it, 
That  we  should  render  daily  homage  due ; 
Each  morning's  light  and  evening's  rest  proclaim  it, 
That  God  is  good,  and  doethjgood  anew. 


24  .       GOD  IS  SO  GOOD ! 

"  God  is  so  good  I"    But  none  the  less  in  sorrow, 
Than  when  we  walk  along  a  path  of  light ; 
For  there  are  stars  that  day  can  never  borrow, 
And  God's  best  promises  shine  best  at  night. 

"  God  is  so  good  !"     So  father-like  and  tender ! 
He  loves  the  music  of  the  bruised  reed  ; 
He  will  not  break  it,  when  it  tries  to  render 
Its  feeble  praises  still,  in  time  of  need. 

"  God  is  so  good  !"     Let  praise  then  be  unceasing, 
And  "  with  thanksgiving  "  mingled  every  prayer ! 
All  through  our  trials,  howsoe'er  increasing, 
Still  let  Hosannas  pierce  the  darkened  air. 

Lord,  "  Thou  art  good,  and  doest  good  ;"  I  know  it, 

But  cannot  always  feel  it  as  I  should. 

0  for  a  stronger  faith  !     Do  Thou  bestow  it, 

Till  my  whole  life  proclaim  that  "  Thou  art  good !" 


JOURNEYING.  25 


JOURNEYING. 

We  are  journeying  unto  the  place  of  which  the  LORD 
said,  I  will  give  it  you. — Numb.  x.  29. 

We  are  journeying  to  a  country 
Of  which  God  Himself  hath  said, 
"  I  will  give  it  you  ;"  then  let  us 
Simply  follow  as  we're  led. 

"  "We  are  journeying  f  then  let  patience 
Be  displayed,  where'er  we  roam  : 
Who  expects  upon  a  journey 
All  the  comforts  of  a  home  ? 

"  We  are  journeying  ;"  we  are  strangers, 
Passing  through,  not  come  to  stay  : 
Let  not  foreign  toys  engross  us 
That  we  see  upon  our  way. 

"  We  are  journeying  ;"  then  should  riches 
Be  committed  to  our  care, 
May  a  special  guard  attend  us, 
Lest  we  fall  into  a  snare  ! 


20  JOURNEYING. 

"  We  are  journeying ;"  O  then,  onward ! 
Not  as  though  we  had  attained, 
But  in  holiness  advancing, 
Till  our  blood-bought  Home  be  grained. 

"  We  are  journeying  ;"  yes,  and  whither  ? 
To  a  land  that's  very  dear  ! 
To  a  land  of  peace  and  plenty, 
And  that  may  be — very  near  ! 

For,  although  before  us  stretching 
Seem  a  long  and  dreary  road, 
Ere  we  pass  another  mile-stone, 
We  may  be  at  Home,  with  God  ! 


FRESH  SPRINGS,  27 


FRESH  SPRINGS. 

All  my  Fresh  Springs  shall  be  in  Thee. — Ps.  lxxxvii.  7. 
(Prayer  Book  Version.) 

Why  is  the  world  so  thirsty, 

So  restless,  ill  at  ease, 

So  careworn  with  its  pleasures, 

So  difficult  to  please  ? 
Because  the  truth  it  cannot  see, 
That  all  "  Fresh  Springs  "  must  be  in  Thee  ! 

"Why  is  Thy  Church  so  weary  ? 

Why  does  Thy  cherished  Bride 

Appear  so  sad  and  lonely, 

So  far  from  "  satisfied  "  ? 
What  once  she  knew,  she  fails  to  see, 
That  all  her  "  Fresh  Springs  "  are  in  Thee  I 

Why  needs  she  so  much  urging 

To  work,  and  love,  and  feel  ? 

Why  craves  $he  fresh  excitement, 

To  stimulate  her  zeal  ? 
She  cannot,  or  she  will  not,  see 
That  all  "  Fresh  Springs  "  must  be  in  Thee  ! 


28  FRESH  SPRINGS. 

Too  true  it  is  !     On  every  side 
We  look  in  vain  for  Christ's  true  Bride  ! 
We  hardly  recognize  her,  now, 
So  faint  the  glory  on  her  brow  ! 
She  lives  an  outside  life, — not  void 
Of  talents  usefully  employed, — 
The  tilted  vessel  overflows, 
But  day  by  day  more  empty  grows  ; 
Too  seldom  is  it  filled,  with  care, 
By  meditation  and  by  prayer, 
For  Christ's  own  Bride — how  strange  to  own ! 
Is  seldom  with  her  Lord,  alone  ! 

Is  it  not  strange  ?     With  what  surprise 
Must  it  be  seen  by  Angel  eyes  ! 
But  that  my  own  deceitful  heart 
In  all  these  scenes  has  borne  a  part, 
The  sad  reality  would  seem 
The  groundless  terror  of  a  dream ! 

I  should  have  thought  that  she  would  prize 
The  mute  appeal  of  those  kind  eyes, 
The  incommunicable  things 
Which  Jesus  Christ's  own  Presence  brings, 
The  sight  of  the  Incarnate  Son, 
Unseen,  yet  fondly  gazed  upon, 
The  speaking  silence  in  Him  found, 
The  wordless  voice,  "  'Tis  holy  ground :" 


FRESH  SPRINGS.  29 

Yes,  verily,  I  should  have  thought, 
Unless  by  sad  experience  taught, 
That  such  exceeding  Tenderness, 
Such  all-surpassing  Loveliness, 
Once  seen  and  tasted,  had  sufficed 
To  make  her  lose  herself  in  Christ ! 

I  should  have  thought  that  one  so  blest 
Would  never  care  to  leave  her  nest, 
Unless,  on  wings  of  love,  to  fly, 
Led  by  the  glances  of  His  eye, 
xind,  keeping  Hirn  in  sight,  fulfill 
Some  fresh  expression  of  His  Vvrill  : 
Then,  home  returning  at  His  call, 
Come  straight  to  Him,  and  tell  Him  all, 
Confess  her  failures,  on  His  breast, 
Give  Hdi  the  glory  of  the  rest, 
And  then,  with  loving  heart  and  true, 
Ask  what  He  next  would  have  her  do  ; 
The  passion  of  her  heart  fulfilled, 
If  all  be  done  as  He  hath  willed : — 
His  thoughts,  the  standard  of  her  own, 
His  "Will,  life's  sweetest  under-tone, 
No  work  of  love  too  great,  or  small, 
To  undertake  at  His  dear  call ! 

I  should  have  thought  the  favored  Bride 
Would  cling  for  ever  to  His  side, 


30  FRESH  SPRINGS 

And  need  no  pressure  of  alarm, 
To  make  her  lean  upon  His  Arm ; 
No  sudden  or  extreme  distress, 
To  prove  Kis  glorious  Faithfulness  ; 
Nor  failure  of  all  earthly  things, 
To  drive  her  to  the  heavenly  Springs. 

I  should  have  thought  she  would  not  care 
For  any  joy  He  did  not  share, 
Nor  any  earthly  object  prize, 
If  Jesus  did  not  sympathize  ; 
For  let  herself  be  "  greatly  moved  " 
By  human  blame,  if  He  approved  ; 
Nor  have  a  single  plan  apart 
From  Him,  the  Sovereign  of  her  heart ; 
But  hang  upon  His  every  word, 
And  treasure  up  each  accent  heard, 
Each  tone  of  love,  each — less  than  tone, 
Each  look  of  love  that  said :  "  Mine  own  !" 
And  never,  never  turn  away 
From  so  much  love,  and  coldly  say : 
"  I  have  not  time  for  Thee,  to-day!" 

O  Jesus  !     Wondrous,  loving  Lord  ! 
Untired  still !     Be  Thou  adored  ! 
Thy  patience  with  Thy  fickle  Bride 
May  well  attract  her  to  Thy  side ! 
0  that  she  may  Thy  whisper  hear, 


FRESH  SPRINGS.  31 

Return !  Return  !     For  I  am  near  !" 
And  ever  henceforth  taste  and  see 
That  all  her  Fresh  Springs  are  in  Thee ! 


JOY  COMETH  IN  THE  MORNING. 

JOY  COMETH  IN    THE  MORNING." 
Psalm  xxx.  5. 

'Tis  sweet,  when  we  are  weary, 

To  feel  that  night  is  near  ; 
To  watch  the  daylight  fading, 

And  see  the  stars  appear. 

For  Rest  is  very  welcome 

To  weary  laboring  men. 
And  with  the  rising  morrow 

We  hope  to  rise  again. 

But  oh !  it  will  be  sweeter, 

That  last  "  Good  Night "  to  say 

Then  fall  asleep,  in  Jesus, 
Until  the  break  of  Day ! 

For  we  are  tired  ! — so  tired  ! 

And  on  the  Saviour's  breast 
We  long,  with  wordless  longings, 

To  lay  us  down  and  rest. 

Then,  when  the  blessed  Morning" 

Shall  suddenly  appear, 
Refreshed,  and  clothed  with  glory, 

"What  greetings  shall  v>Te  hear  ! 


JOY  COMETH  IN  THE  MORNING.  33 

Then  all  our  Father's  children 

Shall  meet  around  His  board, 
And  satisfy  then  longings, 

By  gazing  on  the  Lord. 

And  then,  oh  !  how  delightful, 

Upon  that  "  holy  ground,55 
To  see  the  Saviour's  image 

Reflected  all  around  ! 

Divine  and  human  beauty 

Shall  wonderfully  meet 
On  every  saint  in  glory, 

In  unity  complete. 

For  we  shall  all  be  "  like  Him !" 

And  we  shall  never  tire 
Of  gazing  at  each  other, 

His  beauty  to  admire. 

Yet  we  shall  know  our  loved  ones, 

And  by  them  shall  be  known, 
And  safely  then,  for  ever, 

May  claim  them  as  our  own. 

Each  saint  we  shall  distinguish  ; 

Each  well-remembered  face, 
Each  line  of  human  beauty, 

We  once  again  shall  trace. 


34  JOY  COMETH  IN  THE  MORNING. 

Yet  all  we  here  admire, 
Is  but  the  streak  of  dawn, 

Before  the  burst  of  glory, 
That  Resurrection  Morn ! 

For  no  one  will  look  tired, 
And  no  one,  full  of  care  : 

No  sin,  or  weakness,  yonder ! 
No  "  spot,  or  wrinkle/'  there ! 

Lord  Jesus,  keep  us  patient, 

Until  the  setting  sun, 
In  works  of  love  abounding 

Till  earthly  work  be  done  ! 


THE  BRIDE'S  SEARCH. 


THE  BRIDE'S  SEARCH. 

Song  Sol.  v.  2,  to  vi.  3. 

I  sleep,  but  my  heart;  waketh : 
I  start  at  every  sound : 
A  horror  of  great  darkness 
Is  gathering  all  around. 

No  voice  of  love,  to  calm  my  fear ! 

I  am  alone  ! — No  Jesus  near ! 

Aroused  from  sinful  slumber, 
What  voice  is  this  I  hear  ? 
The  voice  of  my  Beloved, 
In  former  days  so  dear  ! 
I  am  alone  ; — yet  waiting  still 
Is  He  whom  I  have  used  so  ill ! 

I  hear  a  gentle  knocking 
Outside  the  sin-closed  door  : 
Although  my  sin  He  haieth, 
He  loves  me  as  before  ! 
Open  to  Me,  My  Love,  My  Dove  I" 
What  can  I  say  to  so  much  love  ? 


36  THE  BRIDE'S  SEARCH. 

Like  a  belated  stranger, 

His  Head  is  filled  with  dew ! 

Oh  !  He  is  -weary,  weary  ! 

And  it  is  my  fault,  too. 
I  am  alone,  because  of  sin : 
I  will  not  let  my  Saviour  in  ! 

But  see  !     The  latch  is  moving ! 

His  Hand  is  on  the  door ! 

My  heart  begins  to  soften  ; 

I  hesitate  no  more. 
I  will  arise  and  let  Him  in  ; 
Enough  of  loneliness  and  sin  ! 

Come  in,  Thou  blessed  Jesus  ; 

Be  welcome  now  again  ! 

.  .  .  But  oh  !  He  has  departed  ! 

I  call  on  Him  in  vain  ! 
Where  art  Thou  gone,  Beloved,  where  ? 
0  come  again  !     O  hear  my  prayer  ! 

Where  is  my  heart's  Beloved  ? 
YvTill  no  one  tell  me  where  ? 
Alas,  the  very  watchmen 
But  deepen  my  despair ! 
They  see  in  me  no  sign  of  grace  ; 
v     They  do  not  understand  my  case. 


THE  BRIDES  SEARCH. 

Ye  citizens  of  tins  world, 

Who  know  not  Jesus  yet, 

If  ye  find  my  Beloved 

Ere  I  Eis  answer  get, 
O  speak  to  Him  of  me — of  me  ! 
0  say  :  She  also  longs  for  Thee  ! 

"  "What  then  is  thy  Beloved, 
Thou  fairest  child  of  Eve, 
W  hat  more  than  many  another 
Whom  our  fond  hearts  receive  ? 
Why  dost  thou  charge  us  thus  ?  and  why 
That  fevered  speech,  that  flashing  eye  f 

Oh  !  you  know  little  of  Him, 

If  thus  you  coldly  speak 

Of  that  transcendent  Loved  One 

Whom  I  so  vainly  seek  ! 
Xo  words  of  mine  can  make  you  see 
What  my  Beloved  is  to  me. 

It  were  a  vain  endeavor 

His  merits  to  portray, 

For  "  Altogether  Lovely  " 

Is  all  that  I  can  say. 
Did  you  but  know  Him  as  I  do, 
You  would  arise  and  seek  Him  too. 


39  THE  BRIDE'S  SEARCH. 

"  O  fairest  among  women  ! 
This  earnestness  and  fear 
Convince  us  that  thy  Loved  One, 
Although  unseen,  is  near. 

V,Te  too  would  see  Him  !     Lead  the  way  ! 

So  shall  thy  darkness  turn  to  day." 

Yes,  it  is  true  :  who  watereth 
Shall  gain  refreshing  grace  : 
In  pointing  them  to  Jesus, 
Once  more  I  see  His  Face  ! 

Jesus  Himself  is  very  near  ! 

My  own  Beloved  !  Thou  art  here  ! 


THE  GOLDEN  SCEPTRE.  39 


THE   GOLDEN  SCEPTRE. 

The"  King  held  out  to  Esther  the  golden  sceptre  that 
was  in  his  hand.  So  Esther  drew  near,  and  touched  the 
top  of  the  sceptre. — Esther,  v.  2. 

The  King  holds  cut  the  golden  sceptre ; 
And  this  its  language  seems  to  be  : 
"  Fear  not !     My  hand  has  royal  power, 
And  I  will  use  that  power  for  thee  !" 

She  rightly  understands  its  meaning, 
And  with  a  beating  heart  draws  nigh. 
M  Queen  Esther,  what  is  thy  petition  ? 
Fear  not !     It  cannot  rise  too  high." 

Encouraged  thus,  her  sad  heart's  burden 
She  wholly  casts  upon  her  lord  ; 
The  multitude  of  thoughts  within  her, 
Before  that  throne  of  grace  are  poured. 

Come,  Bride  of  Christ,  her  footsteps  follow  ! 

Jesus  Himself  is  on  the  Throne, 

His  Sceptre  graciously  extendeth, 

And  bids  thee  call  His  power  thine  own. 


40  THE   GOLDEN  SCEPTRE. 

Then  touch  the  morning, 

An 

H-. 

To  evervthing  thou  hast  to 

I 
-' 

..nnotfhi"  :3n, 

i 

DS   ! 

ad! 
Poi 

nd. 

Be  not  afraid 
For  He  1 

Dra~ 


THE  THING  THAT  I  LONG  FOR.  41 


THE    THING    THAT  I  LONG  FOR. 

THOU,  O  LORD  GOD,  art  the  thing  that  I  long  for — 
Ps.  Ixxi.  4.     (Prayer-Book  Version.) 

Thou  art  the  thing  that  I  long  for, 
Though  there  are  beautiful  things, 
Things  to  delight  and  enrapture, 
Even  in  earth's  "nether  springs."  ' 

Thou  art  the  thing  that  I  long  for  ! 
Give  Thyself  wholly  to  me  ' 
Other  things  crumble  and  vanish  ; 
Nothing  contents  me  but  Thee  ! 

Thou  art  the  thing  that  I  long  for  ! 
Lord,  I  believe  Thou  art  near  ! 
Where  could  these  longings"  find  utterance, 
But  in  Thy  listening  ear  ? 

Thou  art  the  thing  that  I  long  for ! 
Yes,  and  this  longing  of  mine, 
Though  almost  dumb  from  intenseness, 
Is  but  the  echo  of  Thixe  ! 2 

1  Josh.  xv.  19  ;   •  Ps.  exxxii.  13,  14  ;  Song  of  Sol.  vii.  10. 


42  THE  THING  THA  T  I  LONG  FOR. 

Thou  art  the  tiling  that  I  long  for  ! 
O  that  each  sorrow  I  feel, 
O  that  each  loss  and  bereavement 
More  of  Thyself  may  reveal ! 

Thou  art  the  thing  that  I  long  for  ! 
Heaven  itself  will  be  fail*, 
Fan*  in  its  glorious  completeness, 
Chiefly  because  Thou  art  there ! 


WHITE  AS  SXOW.  43 


WHITE  AS  SNOW. 

Though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as 
snow. — Is.  i.  1 8.   ■ 

"  White  as  Snow  !"     O  what  a  Promise 
For  the  heavy-laden  breast ! 
When,  by  faith,  the  soul  receives  it, 
Weariness  is  changed  to  rest. 

"  Ked  like  crimson,"  deep  as  scarlet, 
Scarlet  of  the  deepest  dye, 
Are  the  manifold  transgressions 
Which  upon  my  conscience  lie. 

God  alone  can  count  their  number  ; 
God  alone  can  look  within ; 
O  the  sinfulness  of  sinning ! 
0  the  guilt  of  every  sin ! 

God's  own  Law,  so  just  and  holy, 
Proves  my  sin  and  shame  and  loss  ; 
But  what  proves  it  still  more  clearly, 
Is  the  Story  of  the  Cross. 

Heavy-laden,  worn  and  weary, 
To  the  Promise  let  me  go, 
"  Though  your  sins  may  be  as  scarlet, 
They  shall  be  as  white  as  snow !" 


- 

i: 

] 


- 
1 

- 

- 

-~  '     .  -  ] 

- 

'.  :':•!£ ri 

I  for.:       .  -.. 


WHITE  AS  SXOW.  45 

Much  forgiven  !     Quite  forgiven, 
Once  for  all,  yet  daily,  too, 
Let  me  live  near  Christ  my  Saviour ; 
Let  me  keep  the  Cross  in  view. 

Much  forgiven  !     Then  let  boasting 
Be  for  ever  cast  aside : 
Shall  a  newly-pardoned  sinner 
Dare  to  lift  his  head  in  pride  ? 

Much  forgiven  !     0  my  Saviour, 
If  my  present  state  be  such, 
May  these  further  words  describe  me, 
This  poor  sinner  loveth  huch  ! 


46  I  AM  A  LITTLE  CHILD. 

I  AM  A   LITTLE   CHILD. 

I  am  but  a  little  child. — i  Kings  iii.  7. 

Sueely  the  Lord  Himself  is  in  this  place ! 
He  has  not  said  in  vain,  "  Seek  ye  my  Face  !" 
Thy  Face,  Lord,  "will  I  seek  :  'tis  very  sweet 
To  be  allowed  to  sit  at  Jesus'  feet ! 

But  stay,  there  is  a  still  more  blessed  state, 
Communion  still  more  close  and  intimate  : 
Lord,  I'm  "  a  little  child  !"     Then  suffer  me 
To  come,  as  such,  and  nestle  close  to  Thee. 

I  am  too  weak  to  climb  into  Thine  arms, 
So  take  me  up  Thyself !     Let  all  alarms 
Be  hushed  to  sleep  upon  Thy  tender  breast : 
Forbid  me  not !     I  come  to  Thee  for  rest. 

I  am  a  little  child  !     I  never  know 
What  is  the  best  or  safest  way  to  go  : 
I  always  make  mistakes !     By  day  or  night, 
It  is  not  safe  to  trust  me  out  of  sight. 

I  am  a  little  child !     So  little  strength 

Have  I,  that  I  begin  to  see  at  length, 

How  true  is  that  first  lesson  taught  by  Thee, 

"  Ye  can  do  nothing  " — nothing  ! — "  without  Lie. 


/  AM  A  LITTLE  CHILD.  47 

I  am  a  little  child !     Thy  fresh  supplies 
Each  day  delight  afresh  my  wondering  eyes  : 
But  do  you  ask  me  how  it  is  I'm  fed  ? 
My  heavenly  Father  gives  me  "  daily  bread." 

I  am  a  little  child ;  and  satisfied  : 

God  has  provided,  and  He  will  provide. 

I  have  enough  ;  and  I  can  truly  sing, 

"  My  God  withholdefch  from'me  no  good  thing." 

I  am  a  little  child !     I  cannot  see 
What  in  the  Future  is  prepared  for  me  : 
I  feel  that  Thou  art  training  me,  each  day, 
But  what  I  then  shall  be, — I  cannot  say.   ' 

I  am  a  little  child !     'Tis  better  so  : 
For  we  are  strong,  when  weak ;  and  high,  when  low; 
Hichest,  when  poor  ;  and  wise,  when  we  discern 
How  much,  how  very  much,  we  have  to  learn. 

Where  can  we  learn  it,  but  at  Jesus'  feet  ? 
Angels  must  wonder  at  our  self-conceit, 
If  we  are  not  content,  and  thankful,  too, 
To  live  and  learn — as  little  children  do. 

No  time  is  wasted,  and  no  labor  lost, 
That  teaches  our  proud  hearts,  at  any  cost, 
From  self  escaping,  to  escape  to  Thee, 
And  leam  the  wisdom  of  simplicity. 


43  HE  KNOWETII  OUR  FRAME. 

HE  KNOWETH  OUR  FRAME. 

WRITTEN   FOR   AN   ESTYALID. 

He   knoweth  our  frame  :    He  remembereth  that  we  are 
dust. — Ps.  ciii.  14. 

Loed,  is  it  wrong, — this  state  of  things  ? 

I  hardly  know : 
Each  little  bird  its  anthem  sings  ; 

I  feel  so  low  ! 
So  restless,  so  disheartened,  and  so  weary ! 
Life  seems  to  me  so  desolate  and  dreary  ! 

This  body  seems  to  drag  me  down : 

I  cannot  see 
The  beautiful,  unfading  crown, 

Prepared  for  me. 
Some  of  Thy  children  seem  so  full  of  light ! 
But  as  for  me,  my  day  is  almost  night ! 

I  do  believe  it  was  for  me, 

That  Jesus  died  : 
And  Heaven's  door,  I  think  I  see, 

Is  opened,  wide  : 
I  do  believe  that  He  will  let  me  in. 
And  that  His  Blood  has  cleansed  me  from  my  sin. 


HE  KNOWETH  OUR  FRAME.  49 

O  why  then  should  I  feel  afraid  ? 

Is  it  not  true, 
My  sins  were  all  on  Jesus  laid, 

And  sorrows,  too  ? 
Hath  He  not  grace  enough  for  all  to-morrows  ? 
For  surely  He  hath  borne  our  griefs  and  sorrows ! 

My  Father  !  O  how  sweet  the  name  ! 

Art  Thou  not  near  ? 
Say,  dost  Thou  pity  me  ? — or  blame  ? 

I  long  to  hear ! 
Father  !     My  Father  !     This  is  all  my  trust, 
That  Thou  rememberest  I  am  but  dust ! 

Thou  knowest  well  my  frame,  for  Thou 

Hast  fashioned  me : 
The  darkness  all  around  me  now 

Is  light,  to  Thee  ! 
Then  take  me  by  the  hand,  and  lead  me  on, 
Thy  poor  blind  child  ! — until  the  night  be  gone ! 

Until  the  shadows  nee  away 

Before  the  Sun, 
And  glorious,  everlasting  Day 

Shall  have  begun ! 
Meanwhile,  in  love  and  pity,  lead  Thou  me, 
For  all  my  expectation  is  from  Thee  ! 

5 


50  I  LOVE  TO  TELL   THE  STORY. 

L  LOVE    TO    TELL    THE   STORY. 

Show  forth  His  Salvation  from  day  to  day. — Ps.  xcvi.  2. 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story 
Of  unseen  tilings  above, 
Of  Jesus  and  His  Glory, 
Of  Jesus  and  His  Love ! 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story ! 
Because  I  know  it's  true  ; 
It  satisfies  my  longings 
As  nothing  else  would  do. 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story  ; 
More  wonderful  it  seems 
Than  all  the  golden  fancies 
Of  all  our  golden  dreams. 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story  ; 
It  did  so  much  for  me  ! 
And  that  is  just  the  reason 
I  tell  it  now  to  thee. 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story ! 
'Tis  pleasant  to  repeat 
Y/hat  seems,  each  time  I  tell  it, 
More  wonderfully  sweet. 


I  LOVE  TO  TELL   THE  ST  OR  Y.  51 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story ! 
For  some  have  never  heard 
The  message  of  salvation 
From  God's  own  Koly  Word. 

I  love  to  tell  the  Story ! 
For  those  who  know  it  best 
Seem  hungering  and  thirsting 
To  hear  it,  like  the  rest. 

And  when,  in  scenes  of  glory, 
I  sing  the  new,  new  Song,  1 
'Twill  be — the  old,  old  Stoey 
That  I  have  loved  so  long. 

1  Rev.  v.  g,  io  . 


52  THE  SECRET  SPRING. 


THE   SECRET  SPREYG. 

He  shall  be  as  a  tree  planted  by  the  waters,  and  that 
spreadeth  out  her  roots  by  the  river,  and  shall  not  see 
when  heat  cometh,  but  her  leaf  shall  be  green.— Jer. 
xvii.  7,  8. 

The  gentle  moon  was  silvering 
The  outline  of  the  trees, 
The  lullaby  of  Nature 
Was  whispered  in  the  breeze. 
'Twas  not  a  time  for  talking, 
Or  speculations  high : 
I  wanted  to  be  quiet, 
And  hear  that  lullaby. 

I  wanted  to  be  silent, 
And  watch  the  waving  grass, 
So  gracefully  inclining 
To  let  the  breezes  pass. 
It  seemed  to  grow  in  beauty, 
The  more  it  bowed  its  head, 
Like  penitential  murmurs 
On  saintly  dying  bed. 


THE  SECRET  SPRING.  53 

I  marveled  at  its  beauty, 

So  manifold,  so  sweet, 

Like  rainbow  colors  blending 

In  harmony  complete. 

And  while  I  looked,  and  wondered 

"What  made  it  grow  so  high, 

The  question  rose  within  me, 

Is  there  a  hid  supply  ? 

For  it  was  taller,  fairer, 
Than  all  the  grass  around  ; 
What  made  it  thus  to  differ 
From  cumberers  of  the  ground  ? 
At  last,  the  whispering  breezes 
This  answer  seemed  to  bring, 
(Its  echoes  rang  within  me), 
ct  There  is  a  Secret  Speing  ! 


"  You  cannot  see  the  waters 
By  which  the  grass  is  fed  ; 
You  cannot  see  the  brooklet, 
Within  its  little  bed  ; 
You  cannot  even  hear  it, 
So  quiet  is  its  flow  ; 
And  yet,  those  hidden  waters 
Have  made  the  grass  to  grow !" 


54  THE  SECRET  SPRIXG. 

Then,  "  planted  by  the  waters,'1 
O  Saviour,  let  me  be, 
That  I  may  thus  be  fruitful, 
And  glory  bring  to  Thee  ! 
Xot  unto  me  be  glory ! 
Thy  praises  would  I  sing  : 
Yes,  for  the  grass  were  nothing, 
Without  the  Seceet  Spring  ! 


APART.  55 


APART. 

Come  }-e  yourselves  apart  into  a  desert  place,  and  rest 
awhile. — St.  Mark  vi.  31. 

"  Co:ie  ye  yourselves  apart, 

And  rest  awhile  ;" 
So  spake  the  gracious  Lord, 

With  gracious  smile. 
What  soul-refreshing  thoughts 

The  words  suggest : 
"  Come  ye  yourselves  apart," 

With  Me,  "  and  rest !" 

* 
"  Come  ye  yourselves  apart," 
And  tell  Me  all 
That  you  have  done  and  taught, 

Since  that  last  Call ; 
Since  last  I  sent  you  forth 

To  work  for  Me, 
Amid  the  haunts  of  sin 

And  misery. 


APART. 

"  Come  yourselves  apart," 

And  do  not  fear 
To  tell  Me  ail  your  thoughts ; 

I  love  to  hear ! 
Begin  where  you  left  off ; 

Leave  nothing  out ; 
Tell  Me  each  word  and  work, 

Each  hope,  and  doubt. 

"  Come  ye  yourselves  apart," 

And  listen,  too  ; 
For  I  have  many  things 

To  say  to  you. 
I  want  to  let  you  know 

What  I  have  thought 
Of  all  this  work  for  Me, 

That  you  have  wrought. 

"  Come  ye  yourselves  apart," 

That  I  may  teach 
The  many,  many  things, 

You  have  to  preach. 
You  cannot  learn  them  all 

In  one  short  day  ; 
But  something  may  be  leamt, 

If  you  will  stay. 


APART. 

"  Come'  ye  yourselves  apart !" 

I  care  for  you ; 
Not  for  the  sake  of  aught 

That  you  can  do  : 
Your  work  is  very  poor 

And  weak,  at  best ; 
But  ye  yourselves  are  dear : 

Then  come,  and  rest ! 

"  Come  ye  yourselves  apart," 

Kenew  your  strength, 
That  you  may  better  go 

Prepared  at  length, 
By  holy  leisure  spent 

Alone  with  Me, 
To  work  the  work  prepared 

For  thee  ! — for  thee  ! 1 

And  when  the  closing  hour 

Of  Life's  short  day 
Shall  tell  of  earthly  work 

All  passed  away, 
I  will  draw  near,  and  say, 

With  loving  smile, 
Fear  not ;  but  come  apart, 

And  rest — awhile  ! 

1  See  Eph.  ii.  10,  margin. 


58  APART. 

Rest,  rest,  with  Me,  awhile, 

In  Paradise, 
Till  He  who  bade  thee  rest, 

Shall  bid  thee  rise  ! 
Then  rise,  with  quickened  powers, 

To  spend,  for  Me, 
That  blessed  leisure-time, 

Eternity ! 


THE  SICK  MAN'S  PRA  YER.  59 


THE   SICK  MAN'S  PRAYER. 
Hear  ye  the  rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it. — MiCAH  vi.  9. 

Lord,  I  am  very  ill, 

But  Thou  art  very  near, 

And  I  can  lie  quite  still, 

And  trust,  without  a  fear. 
Thou  art  so  faithful  and  so  kind, 
That  I  have  not  a  fault  to  find. 

I  have  no  fault  to  find, 

0  Holy  One,  in  Thee : 
But  what  is  in  Thy  mind 
About  the  faults  in  me  ? 

Have  mercy,  Lord,  for  I  am  weak ; 

But  speak !     Thy  servant  heareth  ;  speak ! 

1  want  to  "  hear  "  the  rod  ; 
I  want  to  understand 

The  message  of  my  God, 
Sent  by  His  chastening  Hand. 
I  hope  He  will  not  go  away 
And  leave  me  what  I  am  to-day ! 


60  THE  SICK  MAX'S  PRA  YER. 

I  feel  so  very  far 
From  what  I  ought  to  be ; 
And  niy  transgressions  are 
Still  more  than  I  can  see  ! 

What  must  they  be  m  Thy  pure  sight  ? 

What  must  I  seem  in  Heaven's  light  ? 

My  guilty  heart  I  bring  : 
O  search  it,  Lord  !  and  see, 
And  cast  out  everything 
That  still  displeases  Thee. 
Lord  Jesus,  do  Thy  work  within, 
And  save  me,  save  me  from  my  sin  ! 

Not  only  froni  its  guilt, 
But  also  from  its  power : 
O  Saviour,  if  Thou  wilt/ 
Thou  canst,  this  very  hour ! 
I  will  not  let  Thee  go  away 
Except  Thou  bless  me,  Lord,  to-day. 

Hush !     For  the  Saviour's  Voice, 
His  loving  Voice,  I  hear  : 
It  tells  me  to  rejoice  ; 
It  tells  me  not  to  fear. 
"  Fear  not !     I  have  redeemed  thee ! 
Only  believe  !     Believe  in  Me  !" 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN.  61 


JOSEPH  AND   HIS  BRETHREN. 

There  stood  no  man  with  him,  while  Joseph  made  himself 
known  unto  his  brethren. — Gen.  xlv.  I. 

"  Come  near  to  me,  I  pray  you  !"  * 

It  is  the  Saviour  speaking  ! 

His  loving  condescension 

An  interview  is  seeking  ! 
I  tremble  at  His  Love,  but  I  draw  near, 2 
Iu  sweet  confusedness  of  joy  and  fear. 3 

Behold  in  Me  your  Brother, 4 

The  Brother  whom  you  sold ! 5 

Yet  fear  not ; 6  for  I  love  you 

"With  love  that  grows  not  cold. 
Through  Death  and  Resurrection  I  have  passed, 7 
And  now  I  claim  you  for  My  own  at  last. 

1  Gen.  xlv.  4.     Is.  i.  18.     James  iv.  8.        2  Ps.  lxxiii.  27. 
Heb.  vii.  g  ;  x.  19-22.  3  Matt,  xxviii.  8.         4  Gen.  xlv. 

4.  Heb.  ii.  16,  17.  5  Acts  ii.  36.  6  Jer.  xxxi.  3.  Heb. 
xiii.  S.  7  Gen.  xlii.  36,  38  ;  xliv.  20^28  ;  xlv.  26.  2  Cor. 
xiii.  4.     Eph.  iv.  9,  10.     Rom.  xiv.  9. 

6 


C2  JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN. 

Behold  Me  in  My  glory !  l 

And  oh  !  believe  Me  true, 

When  I  declare  that  mansions 2 

Are  here  prepared  for  you. 
God  sent  Me  here  before  you  :  come  and  be 3 
The  sharers  of  My  throne ;  joint  hens  with  Me  !  * 

It  is  My  heart's  desire 5 

To  have  you  here  with  Me, 

That  you  may  see  My  glory, 

And  share  as  well  as  see. 
Then  come  unto  Me  !     Tarry  not.  I  pray ! 6 
Yet  there  is  room  !     No  need  to  turn  away ! 7 

Room,  in  the  land  of  Goshen, 8 

The  goodly  land  you  see, 

Room,  room,  for  many  others  : 

O  fetch  them  home  to  Me  ! 9 
Go  down,  on  messages  of  love,  below  : 
But  leave  your  heart  behind  you  when  you  go ! 10 

1  Gen.  xlv.  S.  Acts  vii.  55,  56.  1  Pet.  iii.  22.  2  John 
xiv.  2.  3  Gen.  xlv.  5,  7,  8.  John  xiii.  36.  Heb.  vi.  20. 
4  Rev.  iii.  21.  Rom.  viii.  17.  6  Gen.  xlv.  9,  18-20.  John 
xvii.  24,  22.     6  2  Cor.  vi.  2.     Heb.  iii.  15.  "'  Luke  xiv. 

22.     John  xiv.  2.  6  Gen.  xlv.  10,  u,  19.         e  Matt.  xii. 

30.         10  Matt.  vi.  21. 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN.  63 

Then  give  to  each  this  message  :  l 
"  Thou  shalt  be  near  to  Me, 

And  there,  in  My  own  Presence, 2 

There  will  I  noiuish  thee. 
O  famine-stricken  soul,  why  wilt  thou  die  1 
Come  unto  Me,  for  I  can  satisfy." 

Describe  the  land  of  plenty, 3 
Where  you,  by  faith,  have  been  : 
Tell  them  of  all  the  glory- 
That  your  own  eyes  have  seen. 
And  if  they  hesitate,  and  wish  to  stay, 
Then  show  them  My  Provision  for  the  way  ! 4 

Tell  them  that  He  yet  liveth, 5 

Whom  they  have  mourned  as  dead : 

TeU  them  that  I,  their  Brother, 6 

Will  do  as  I  have  said, 7 
And  they  shall  surely  go  from  strength  to  strength, 8 
Until  they  see  My  loving  Face  at  length. 

1  Gen.  xlv.  io,  n.  -  Ps.  xvi.  II ;  xxxvi.  7-9  ;  cvii.  9. 

Eph.  v.  29,  30  ;  i.  22,  23.  3  Gen.  xlv.  12,  13.  Heb.  xi.  1. 
2C0r.iii.x8.  1  John  i.  3.  Acts  iv.  20.  4  Gen.  xlv.  21. 
Phil.  iv.  19.  5  Gen.  xlv.  26.  Rev.  i.  18.  Mark  xvi.  10. 
0  Heb.  ii.  11, 12.  1  Tim.  ii.  5.  7  Heb.  x.  23.  8  Gen.  xlv. 
27.     Ps.  lxxxiv.  7  ;  lxxiii.  24. 


64  JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRE  THREN. 


And  do  not  let  them  linger x 

To  gather  up  their  "  stuff," 

For  in  the  land  of  Goshen 

They  all  will  have  enough  ! 
No  poverty  or  famine  waits  them  here .: 
The  very  trace  of  grief  shall  disappear. 2 

One  word  of  loving  caution, 3 

Before  I  let  you  go. 

You  are  too  richly  laden 

To  escape  the  watchful  foe  : 
Keep  close  together !     And  again  I  say, 
Keep  close  together,  and  you  win  the  day  ! 

Go  then  on  this  My  errand 4 

Of  mercy  and  of  love, 

And  win  the  hearts  of  thousands 5 

To  seek  a  Home  above  ! 
Give  them  the  message,  for  you  know  it's  true, 
Jesus  is  yet  alive,  and  lives  fou  you!  s 


i  Gen.  xlv.  20.     Matt.  vi.  19,  20.      Heb.  x.  34.     Col.  iii. 
i-3-  '  Rev.  vii.  16,  17  ;  xxi.  4,  6,  7.         3  Gen.  xlv.  24. 

2  Cor.  xiii.  11.  1  Pet.  i.  22  ;  iii.  S  ;  iv.  8.  Heb.  xiii.  1. 
4  Gen.  xlv.  24-28.  5  Numb.  x.  29.  Dan.  xii.  3.  6  Heb. 
vii.  16,  23-25.     John  xiv.  10. 


THE  GUIDING  PILLAR.  65 


THE   GUIDING  PILLAR. 

the  LORD  went  before  them  by  day  in  a  pillar  of  a 
cloud,  to  lead  them  the  way  ;  and  by  night  in  a  pillar 
of  fire,  to  give  them  light.  He  took  not  away  the  pillar 
of  the  cloud  by  day,  nor  the  pillar  of  fire  by  night,  from 
before  the  people. — Exodus  xiii.  zi,  22. 

The  "  Exodus  "  was  only  the  beginning 
Of  countless  tender  mercies  by  the  way  : 
God  went  before  the  people  He  had  chosen, 
With  fire  by  night,  and  with  a  cloud  by  day. 

Pie  took  it  not  away,  that  cloudy  Pillar, 
Although  they  oft  provoked  Him  so  to  do  : 
Ungrateful  though  they  were  for  all  His  kindness, 
The  Pillar  led  them  all  their  journey  through. 

It  must  have  looked,  so  cool  and  so  refreshing, 
That  cloudy  Pillar,  in  the  heat  of  day ! 
And  then  at  night,  its  shadow  no  more  needed, 
Became  a  fire  to  light  them  on  then*  way. 

Just  what  they  needed  !     Wonderfully  fitted 
To  meet  the  varying  wants  of  every  hour  ! 
But  oh  !  how  little  did  they  prize  the  token 
Of  His  unerring  Wisdom,  Love,  and  Power ! 


66  THE  GUIDING  PILLAR. 

God's  leadings  often  crossed  their  inclinations : 
The  Pillar  went  too  fast,  or  went  too  slow  ; 
It  stayed  too  long,  to  suit  their  restless  temper, 
Or,  when  they  wished  to  stay,  it  bade  them  go ! 

It  kept  them  so  uncertain  of  the  Future ! 
It  wrote  "  if  God  pesmit,"  on  every  plan  ; 
It  seemed  to  mock  the  wisdom  of  the  wisest, 
And  made  a  child  of  every  full-grown  man. 

To  bear  such  discipline  aright,  they  needed 
Ear  more  humility  than  they  possessed  ; 
More  self-abandonment,  and  more  devotion, 
A  will  surrendered,  and  a  heart  at  rest. 

And  so  they  murmured ! — murmured  very  often  : 
Their  sullen  hearts  rebelled  against  the  light : 
And  had  not  God  been  strong,  and  very  patient, 
They  never  would  have  found  their  way  aright. 

Now  these  things  happened  to  them  for  ensamples 
We  find  them  "  written  for  our  learning,"  here  : 
O  Israel !  Israel !     How  can  I  condemn  thee  ? 
Thy  condemnation  were  my  own,  I  fear ! 

Yet,  God  of  Israel,  do  not  thou  forsake  me  ! 
O  do  not  answer  any  wilful  prayer ! 
But  lead  me  safely  to  the  land  of  Promise, 
To  Heaven  itself,  and  I  will  praise  Thee  there ! 


BRA  W  ME:'  67 


"  D  R  A  W     M  E  ." 

Song  Sol.  i.  4. 

0  Thou  whom  my  soul  loveth 
With  true,  though  feeble,  love, 

1  want  to  commune  with  Thee  ; 

0  draw  my  heart  above  ! 

Thou  knowest  that  I  cannot 
So  much  as  wish  for  Thee, 
Unless  Thy  Holy  Spirit 
Work  mightily  in  me. 

The  voice  of  prayer  within  me 
Is  paralyzed  and  dumb, 
The  hand  of  faith  is  withered, 
Until  Thy  Spirit  come. 

The  Story  of  Redemption 
Seems  like  an  idle  tale  ; 

1  come  not,  and  I  care  not 
To  come,  within  the  Yeil. 

But  now,  my  heart  is  thirsting 
And  crying  out  for  Thee  ! 
O  surely,  Thine  own  Spirit 
Has  wrought  this  change  in  me. 


63  "  DRA  IV  ME." 

Thou  art  the  thing  I  long  for ! 
My  heart  has  fled  above ; 
For  Thou  Thyself  hast  drawn  me 
With  everlasting  Love. 

0  Thou  whom  my  soul  loveth 
Because  Thou  lovest  me, 
Thou  drawest  me  so  sweetly, 

1  must  run  after  Thee ! 


THE  EVE  OF  DEPARTURE.  G9 


THE  EVE    OF   DEPARTURE. 

WRITTEN   FOR   A    SICK   FRIEND,    ON   THE    EYE    OF   A 
SOLITARY    JOURNEY   FROM   A   LONDON   LODG- 
ING   TO    A    COUNTRY    HOME. 

The  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand. — z  Tim.  iv.  6. 

I  long  to  flee  away,  and  be  at  rest ! 
This  world  is  but  a  lodging,  at  the  best  : 
It  is  not  Home,  and  Home  can  never  be, 
For  it  is  far — too  far,  O  Lord  ! — from  Thee  ! 
It  seemed  but  twilight,  in  the  broadest  day  ; 
And  now — its  light  is  fading  quite  away. 

I  long  to  be  at  home  ! — to  see  Thy  Face, 

In  the  "  eternal  leisure  "  of  that  place, 

Where  none  of  these  distracting  sights  and  sounds, 

None  of  the  misery  that  here  abounds, 

Can  ever  come  :  0  holy,  blessed  life  ! 

How  different  from  all  these  scenes  of  strife  ! 

I  long  to  be  at  home  !     Why  need  I  stay 
An  exile  from  that  Home,  another  day  ? 
Perhaps — I  need  not !     But  God  only  knows 
What  the  untraversed  morrow  may  disclose. 
Perhaps  I  may  be  safe  at  home,  to-morrow,  [row ! 
With  Christ ! — far,  far  away  from  earth  and  sor- 


70  THE  EVE  OF  DEPARTURE. 

The  morning  dawns  :  methinks  I  hear  a  voice  : 

Ci  Rejoice,  my  child !  again  I  say,  Rejoice  ! 

This  very  day  the  order  for  release 

Is  signed  in  Heaven  ;  and  everlasting  peace 

And  everlasting  joy  begin  for  thee, 

This  very  clay,  in  Paradise,  with  Me  !" 

Can  it  be  true  ?     Shall  I  so  soon  be  there  ? 
So  very  soon  ?     O  Holy  One  prepare 
My  sinful  soul  to  meet  Thee  face  to  face, 
In  Paradise  !     O  strange,  mysterious  place  ! 
Where  is  it  ?     Near  ?     Or  very  far  away  ? 
Shall  I  be  there,  "  with  Christ,"  this  very  day  ? 

I  do  not  fear  the  landing  on  the  shore  ; 
Christ  will  be  there,  and  I  shall  fear  no  more. 
But  sometimes — for  the  flesh  is  weak — I  shrink 
When  of  the  intervening  waves  I  think. 
The  passage  may  be  rough  ;  and  who  can  say 
What  perils  may  await  me  on  the  way  ? 

And  I  must  go  alone  !     Most  near  and  dear, 

I  must  not  hope  to  have  thee  with  me  here  ! 

I  know  that  thou  wilt  watch  me  to  the  last, 

Till  all  sweet  ministries  of  love  be  past, 

And  we  shall  not  be  separated  long  ;  [strong. 

But  "  Love  is  strong  as  Death  !"  and  Death  is 


THE  EVE  OF  DEPARTURE.  71 

Lord  Jesus,  take  away  this  lingering  dread  ! 
For  Thou  art  He  that  livest  and  wast  dead, 
And  now  Thou  art  alive  for  evermore, 
That  Death's  long  Eeign  of  Terror  may  be  o'er.1 
Increase  my  faith,  that  I  may  learn  to  cry, 
Thanks  be  to  God,  Who  giveth  victory  ! 

1  Rev.  i.  1 8  ;    Heb.  ii.  14,  15  ;   Rom.  viii.  35-39  ;  1  Cor. 
xv.  55-57. 


"  LOVE  ST  TIJO  U  ME  ?" 


"LOVE ST  TLIOU  ME?" 
We  love  Him,  because  He  first  loved  us. — I  John  iv.  19. 

I  saw  Him  leave  His  Father's  Throne, 
Forsake  that  Glory, — all  His  own  ! 

For  love  of  me. 
And  from  the  lowly  Manger-bed, 
I  heard  a  gentle  Voice  that  said : 

"  Lovest  thou  Me  ?" 

I  saw  Him  in  Temptation's  hour, 
Weak,  but  o'ercoming  Satan's  power, 

For  love  of  me. 
And  as  the  Tempter  fled  away, 
I  heard  a  Voice  that  seemed  to  say  : 

"  Lovest  thou  Me  ?" 

I  heard  Him  once,  by  Jacob's  Well, 
The  message  of  Salvation  tell, 

For  love  of  me. 
My  heart  had  been  as  cold  as  stone ; 
But  how  could  I  resist  that  tone : 

"  Lovest  thou  Me  V 


"  LO  VEST  TITO u  me  r 

I  saw  Him  come,  by  pity  led, 
And  stand  beside  my  feverish  bed, 

For  love  of  me. 
Then  heard  Him  whisper,  as  disease 
'Gave  way  to  health,  and  pain  to  ease, 

"  Lovest  thou  Me  V 

He  saw  me  weeping  for  my  sin,1 

And  turned  to  breathe  His  peace  within, 

For  love  of  me. 
0  never  may  it  lose  its  power, 
His  Voice  in  that  sweet  pardoning  hour, 

"  Lovest  thou  me  ?" 

Once,  with  His  own  outstretched  Arm, 
He  turned  the  storm  into  a  calm,2 

For  love  of  me  : 
Then  came  and  took  me  by  the  hand, 
And  said,  as  we  approached  the  land,3 

"  Lovest  thou  me  V 

1  Luke  viii.  37-50.  2  Luke  viii.  22-25. 

3  Is.  xli.  13  ;  Ps.  cvii.  29,  30. 


74  SOLITUDE. 


SOLITUDE. 

Thou  shalt  keep  them  secretly  in  a  pavilion  from  the 
strife  of  tongues. — Ps.  xxsi.  20. 

I  long  to  be  alone — alone  with  Thee  ! 

Lord  Jesus,  come  !     Reveal  Thyself  to  me  ! 

While  I  am  speaking,  O  my  God,  draw  near  ; 

For  why  need  human  presence  interfere  ? 

Art  Thou  not  great  enough  to  fill  all  space  ? 

Is  there  a  bound,  a  limit,  to  Thy  Grace  ? 

Can  I  not  be  alone  with  Thee,  although 

A  stream  of  people  round  about  me  flow  ? 

And  though  they  all  were  gone,  if  Thou  wert  not 

Thyself  revealed  upon  the  lonely  spot, 

Of  what  avail  were  outward  solitude  ? 

Come;  Lord,  come  now !     And  no  one  shall  in- 

Upon  the  secret  of  our  intercourse  !  [trad 

Thyself  the  Fountain  !  Thou,  the  living  Source 

Of  joy,  and  peace,  and  life  for  evermore, 

Of  all  worth  having,  or  worth  asking  for ! 

As  seeing  Ilim  Who  is  invisible, 
I  call  on  Him,  with  voice  inaudible, 
And  even  here,  with  busy  life  around, 
A  secret  tabernacle  I  have  found  ! 
I  rest  in  peace,  and  Thou  the  watch  shalt  keep, 
For  so  Thou  givcst  Thy  Beloved  sleep  ! 


"  COME  UNTO  ME."  75 

"  COME    UNTO  ME." 
St.  Matt.  xi.  28. 

"  Come  unto  Me  !"     He  bids  me,  it  is  true  : 
And  what  an  easy  thing  it  seems  to  do ! 
But  where  am  I  to  find  the  Saviour,  now  % 
How  can  I  "  come  "  to  Jesus  ?    Tell  me  how  ! 

He  cannot  surely  mean  to  lay  a  snare 
For  heavy-laden  souls,  by  words  so  fair  ? 
No  !     If  He  thus  invites  me,  it  is  plain, 
He  is  as  near,  as  if  on  earth  again ! 

And  if  He  were  on  earth  again,  I  should — 
And  many  other  needy  sinners  would — 
Look  up  with  confidence  at  that  kind  Face, 
And  tell  Him  everything  about  my  case. 

Or  if  I  could  not  speak  ? — if  deaf  and  dumb  ? 
Still  I  could  "  come  "  to  Jesus, — I  could  come, 
And  let  my  very  silence  seem  to  speak  : 
"  Have  mercy  on  me,  Lord,  for  I  am  weak  !" 

And  though  I  could  not  hear  the  Lord's  reply, 
Still  I  could  read  my  welcome  in  His  eye : 
"  Come  !  for  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  thee  out  : 
O  thou  of  little  faith,  why  didst  thou  doubt  ?" 


76  "  COME  UXTO  ME? 

Or  if  I  could  not  see  ? — if  I  were  blind  ? 
Still  I  could  picture  to  myself  how  kind, 
How  full  of  tender  Love,  His  Face  must  be, 
"Who  said  those  gracious  words  :  "  Come  unto  Me  !' 

Or  if  I  could  not  come  as  others  came, 
With  firm  and  eager  step  ? — if  I  were  lame  ? 
Still  I  am  sure  that  I  should  find  a  way 
To  "  come  "  to  Jesus  ;  yes,  this  very  day ! 

0  Jesus  Christ  !     Can  it  be  possible 
That  Thou  shouldst  be  so  inaccessible 

As  some  describe  ?     To  favored  ones,  so  kind, 
And  yet,  so  very  difficult  to  find  ? 

"  The  heart  is  so  deceitful !"     It  is  true  : 

But  God  knows  that !     He  knows  it  better,  too, 

Than  any  heart-searcher  in  this  world  can  : 

"  The  Man  Chbist  Jesus  "  knows  what  is  in  man. 

Saviour,  I  come  !     Whatever  others  say, 
Thou  art  too  near,  to  let  me  miss  the  way  ; 
Thou  cullest  me  ;  and  Thou  art  far  too  kind 
To  put  a  stumbling-block  before  the  blind. 

1  take  Thee  at  Thy  word  !     I  come  to  Thee ; 
For  though  I  see  Thee  not,  Thou  seest  me. 
Weary  and  miserable,  on  Thy  breast 

I  cast  me  down,  and  find  the  promised  "  Rest !" 


THE  PR  A  YER  OF  THE  DESTITUTE.        77 


THE  PRAYER   OF   THE  DESTITUTE. 

e  will  regard  the  prayer  of  the  destitute,  and  not  despise 
their  prayer. — Ps.  cii.  17. 

Give  nie  a  song,  and  I  will  sing  it ! 
Give  me  an  offering  ;  I  will  bring  it ! 
Give  me  Thyself,  and  I  will  take  Thee  : 
Withdraw  Thyself,  and  I  forsake  Thee  ! 

My  land  lies  fallow  :  Master,  till  me ! 
My  heart  lies  empty  :  Master,  fill  me  ! 
It  plays  the  traitor :  Master,  win  me  ! 
It  faints  ;  it  dies  !     Put  new  life  in  me ! 
It  goes  astray :  Good  Shepherd,  lead  me  ! 
It  sighs  for  hunger  :  Come  and  feed  me ! 
It  is  so  poor !     Give  riches  to  me  ! 
It  is  coiTupt :  O  Lord,  renew  me  ! 
So  ignorant !     But  Thou  canst  teach  me. 
Has  wandered  far  !     But  Thou  canst  reach  1 
Is  sore  diseased  :  Physician,  heal  me  ! 
Exposed  to  danger  :  O  conceal  me  ! 
It  trembles  !     In  Thine  arms  enfold  me  ! 
Begins  to  sink !     O  Saviour,  hold  me  ! 
Is  sinking  fast !     Have  mercy  on  me  ! 
So  cold  and  dark  !     O  shine  upon  me  ! 
7* 


THE  ERA  YER  OF  THE  DESTITUTE. 

A  poor  lost  sinner  !     Come  and  find  me  ! 
A  rebel !     May  Thy  love  now  bind  me  ! 
A  prodigal !     Wilt  Thou  receive  me  ? 
A  beggar !     O  wilt  Thou  relieve  me  ? 
A  backslider  !     Do  Thou  restore  me  ! 
A  debtor  !     Be  Thou  Surety  for  me  ! 
Unfit  to  die  !     O  God,  prepare  me  ! 
So  weak  !     On  eagles'  wings,  0  bear  me  ! 
So  comfortless  !     Lord  Jesus,  cheer  me ! 
So  lonely !     God  of  Love,  draw  near  me ! 
By  sin  accused  !     Good  Lord,  acquit  me  ! 
Unfit  for  Heaven's  pure  service  !      Fit  me  ! 
Unfit  for  work  on  earth  !     But  use  me  ! 
A  suppliant !     Do  not  Thou  refuse  me  ! 

Jesus  !  to  Thee  I  call ! 

Jesus  !  be  Thou  my  all ! 
0  come  and  fill  the  hungry  with  good  things, 
For  Thou  hast  all  I  need,  thou  King  of  kings  ! 


A    IVA  Y  TO  ESCAPE.  79 


A    WAY   TO  ESCAPE. 


O  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove  !     For  then  would   I  .. 
away,  and  be  at  rest  ! — Ps.  Iv.  3. 

From  tlia  desolating  sadness 
That  is  creeping  over  life, 
I  would  flee  away,  in  spirit,' 
For  refreshment  in  the  strife. 
Like  tired  dove  retreating  to  her  nest, 
My  soul  would  flee  away  and  be  at  rest ! 

Yet  I  cannot,  and  I  would  not, 

Altogether  flee  away 

From  the  discipline  appointed, 

Until  God's  appointed  day. 
I  would  not  miss  one  pang,  one  trial,  here  : 
What  God  thinks  good  for  me,  I  do  not  fear. 

But  I  need  the  grapes  of  Eshcol, 

To  refresh  me  on  the  road, 

Or  the  cross  would  seem  too  heavy, 

And  unbearable  the  load. 
I  will  not  ponder  o'er  its  weight  and  length, 
But  See  away,  to  gain  the  needed  strength. 


80  A    WA  Y  TO  ESCAPE. 

First  of  all.  I  go  to  Jesus, 
And  I  lean  upon  His  breast, 
And  I  say,  Lord,  I  am  weary, 
Very  weary  !     Give  me  rest ! 
The  mid-day  sun  is  hot !     O  tell  me,  soon, 
Where  makest  Thou  Thy  flock  to  rest  at  noon  ? 

Then  His  Spirit  comes  to  show  me 
O  such  wondrous,  blessed  things, 
That  my  sadness  is  forgotten, 
In  the  comforting  He  brings. 
He  shows  me  Jesus  ! — leads  from  place  to  place, 
To  give  fresh  glimpses  of  His  blessed  Face. 

From  the  resting-place  provided, 
Where  a  Manger  was  His  bed, 
To  the  resting-place  provided 
For  the  thorn-crowned  dying  Head  ! 

Lord  Jesus,  in  Thy  Heart  is  room  for  me  ! 

Shall  I  seek  rest,  where  was  no  rest  for  Thee  ? 

Onward  still  the  Spirit  leads  me, 
To  the  place  where  Jesus  lay, 
Where  they  laid  His  Sacred  Body, 
On  the  evening  of  that  day. 
See  !  He  hath  suffered  in  the  flesh  ! — but  now, 
No  pain  can  reach,  no  thorn  can  pierce  His  brow ! 


A    WA  Y  TO  ESCAPE.  81 

Then  the  Holy  Spirit  whispers, 

"  And  canst  thou  not  suffer,  too  ? 

Vv^ill  thy  sufferings  last  for  ever  ? 

Nay,  they  are  but  faint  and  few. 
Hast  thou  a  load  to  bear  %     Thy  Lord  had  more 
Yet  even  His  afflictions  now  are  o'er/' 

Onward  still !     The  risen  Saviour 

Stands  with  healing  in  His  wings  ! 

"  This  same  Jesus  !  "     O  the  comfort 

That  the  sight  of  Jesus  brings  ! 
Alive  for  evermore  !     Amen  !     Amen  ! 
A  living  Saviour  lives  for  living  men  ! 

But  I  must  not  tarry  longer  ; 
For  He  leads  me  onward  yet, 
To  behold  the  Lord  ascendino- 

o 

From  the  mount  of  Olivet. 
I  see  Him  rising  to  the  world  of  light,  [sight. 

Till  that  white  cloud  has  borne  Him  from  my 

Then  the  world  again  looks  dreary  ; 

But  I  hear  a  Voice  of  Love, 

Saying,  "  Yonder  is  thy  treasure  ! 

Seek  those  things  that  are  above ! 
This  lower  world  was  never  meant  to  be 
Thy  Home  ;  look,  yonder  is  the  Home  for  Thee  ! " 


82  A    WA  Y  TO  ESCAPE. 

And  although  the  blessed  J;:r;s 

Is  no.  longer  to  be  found 

Here  on  earth,  His  holy  footsteps 

Seem  to  make  it  holy  ground. 
I  see  Him,  hear  Him,  trace  Him  everywhere  : 
Look  where  I  will,  my  Saviour  has  been  there. 

And  sometimes  the  Spirit  leads  me, 

When  I  stand  in  need  of  rest, 

To  behold  the  Saviour's  image, 

On  His  followers  impressed. 
I  see  the  Saviour  still,  in  every  place 
"Where  live  the  witnesses  of  His  dear  grace. 

To  the  silent  darkened  chamber, 
Where  life's  pulse  is  ebbing  low, 
"With  the  Comforter  beside  me, 
J  low  my  spirit  loves  to  go  ! 
Jesus  Himself  !     How  clearly  I  can  trace 
His  living  likeness,  on  that  dying  face  ! 

0  the  noble  band  of  sufferers  ! 

Very  little  do  they  know 

Of  the  life-long  work  for  Jesus, 

They  are  doing  here  below  ! 
How  many  do  they  teach,  and  guide,  and  cheer, 
Unknown  to  them,  amidst  the  battle  here  ! 


A    WAY  TO  ESCAPE,  83 

And  when  they  are  summoned  higher, 

What  a  track  of  light  I  find 

To  the  golden  gates  of  glory, 

By  their  spirits  left  behind  ! 
'  Tis  easier  now,  in  heart  and  life  to  soar, 
And  follow  on,  where  they  have  gone  before. 

When  the  world  around  is  dreary, 

What  a  blessing  beyond  price 

Is  the  thought,  that  they  are  dwelling 

In  the  "Rest  of  Paradise  ! 
"  With  Christ !  "—Far  better,"  let  it  be  confessed, 
Than  anything  on  earth  that  we  call  "  Rest." 

Thus  in  spirit  oft  escaping, 

When  by  weariness  oppressed, 

Let  me  labor  on  and  suffer, 

Till  I  enter  into  Rest : 
That  blessed  Rest ! — from  sin,  and  toil,  and  pain  ! 
To  me,  to  live  is  Christ ;  to  die  is  gain  !  " 


84  THE  MAN  OF  MACEDONIA. 

THE  MAN  OF  MACEDONIA. 
Acts  xvi.  6-1  o. 

O  foe  a  vision  and  a  voice  to  lead  me, 
To  show  me  plainly  where  my  work  should  lie  ! 
Look  where  I  may,  fresh  hindrances  impede  me  ; 
Vain  and  unanswered  seems  my  earnest  cry. 

Hush,  unbelieving  one  !  ■  But  for  thy  blindness, 
But  for  thine  own  impatience  and  self-will, 
Thou  wonkiest  see  thy  Master's  loving-kindness, 
Who  by  those  u  hindrances  '*'  is  leading  still. 

He  Who  of  old  through  Phrygia  and  Galatia 
Led  the  Apostle  Paul,  and  blessed  him  there, 
If  He  forbid  to  "  preach  the  Word  in  Asia," 
Must  have  prepared  for  thee  a  work  elsewhere. 

Courage  and  patience  !     Is  the  Master  sleeping  ? 
Has  He  no  plan,  no  purposes,  of  Love  ? 
What  though  awhile  His  counsel  He  is  keeping  ? 
It  is  maturing  in  the  world  above. 

Wait  on  the  Lord  !  In  His  Right  Hand  be  hidden, 
And  go  not  forth  in  haste  to  strive  alone  :  [den :" 
Shun — like  a  sin! — the  tempting  work  "forbid- 
God's  love  for  souls  be  sure,  exceeds  thine  own. 


THE  MAX  OF  MACEDONIA.  80 

Master  cares  !     Why  feel,  or  seem,  so  lonely? 
Nothing  can  interrupt  real  work  for  God  : 
Work  may  be  changed  ;  it  cannot  cease,  if  only 
We  are  resolved  to  cleave  unto  the  Loed. 

None  are  good  works,  for  thee,  but  works  appoint- 
Ask  to  be  filled  with  knowledge  of  His  Will,    [ed  : 
Cost  what  it  may  !     Why  live  a  life  disjointed  ? 
One  work  throughout !     God's  pleasure  to  fulfill ! 

But  if  indeed  some  special  work  awaits  thee, 
Canst  thou  afford  this  waiting-time  to  lose  ? 
By  each  successive  task,  God  educates  thee  ; 
What  if  the  iron  be  too  blunt  to  use  ? 

Can  walls  be  builded  with  untempered  mortar  ? 
Or  fish  be  caught  in  the  mrmended  snare  ? 
Must  not  the  metal  pass  through  fire  and  water, 
If  for  the  battle-field  it  would  prepare  ? 

0  thou  unpolished  shaft !  Why  leave  the  quiver  ? 
O  thou  blunt  axe  !.  What  forest  canst  thou  hew  ? 
Unsharpened  sword !     Canst  thou  the  oppressed 

deliver  ? 
Go  back  to  thine  own  Maker's  forge  anew  ! 

Submit  thyself  to  God  for  preparation  : 
Seek  not  to  teach  thy  Master  and  thy  Lord  ! 


80  THE  MAN  OF  MACEDONIA. 

Oall  it  not  "zeal !"     It  is  a  base  temptation  : 
Satan  is  pleased,  when  man  dictates  to  God. 

Dowd  with  thy  pride !    With  holy  vengeance  I 
On  each  self-flattering  fancy  that  appears  !         [pie 
Did  not  the  Lord  Himself,  for  our  example, 
Lie  hid  in  Nazareth  for  thirty  years  ? 

Wait  the  appointed  time  for  work  appointed, 
Lest  by  the  Tempter's  wiles  thou  be  ensnared  ! 
Fresh  be  the  oil  wherewith  thou  art  anointed ! 
Let  God  prepare  thee  for  the  work  prepared  ! 


vmm 


